Country Bathroom Vanities

Looking back toward our traditions often means we are looking for something nostalgic. Some things we might remember seeing in grandma’s house, or the older couple next-door. For many of us that means looking back to a more simple time, when most people lived in the county and crafted their own furniture in their barns and old style craft shops. The industrial revolution changed that approach and large amounts of furniture was made by machines in production lines. When we want to design an authentic country style bathroom we want to look back to a time where furniture was made by hand by craftsmen. Even though today most bathroom vanities are made in large production type shops many producers have taken great pains and labored to create vanities which give that authentic country look. Country style bathroom design is turn toward a classic rustic handcrafted style. When remodeling a bathroom one of the first choices you will be faced with is the vanity. The style of country style vanity will differ from region to region. For instance a classic French country vanity may be marked with more ornate trims and design lines, where as a classic American country design will feature a more simplistic approach which harken back to the furniture design of the nineteenth century. Materials will be similar with warm natural wood acting as the backbone of the architecture, but as with the design the type of wood will vary with geographical location.

Regardless of region a country style vanity will always embrace soft natural earth colors, with natural unembellished wood colors. Many time the wood adornments will show the age and wear of time, imbuing the vanity with a rustic feeling of a genuine antique treasure which has lasted many years. For an authentic country look make sure the vanity has clean straight lines. To have a true country look the vanity should look as if it were crafted by hand by simple craftsmen with hand tools. The sinks on the country vanity should be made from a porcelain or copper, materials of the time. The key to a country style vanity is trying to keep period accurate. Look for local wood, and a look of handcrafted construction. Lathe turned legs and scalloped edges will give that artisan feel to any vanity. Stay away from “modern” materials like metal. The hardware can vary from some metal, pewter, but look for a style that matches the time of the piece. Rounded wood knobs and draw pulls will give an authentic country designed look.

Be sure to stay consistent, there are many different styles within the umbrella of country. Lexington, Farmhouse, Santa Fe, South Western, Cottage, Northeastern, all have there own regional stylistic approaches to furniture making. Some may be more ornate, some may look as if they were built in a barn and others in artisan workshop. While some vanities will work for any country style décor, some vanities are very geographically specific. Designing the perfect country style bathroom may come down to picking a region and style that appeal to your sensitivities and search for a country vanity that will enhance that stylistic choice. Stay simple, stay consistent, stay rustic, and look for natural materials which are crafted in a simplistic way. Make sure your country vanity has warm earth colors and stay away from dark or stark looking designs. Look for vanities made from regional wood types and color choices that will accent the whole bathroom to ensure that the room keeps that traditional and country feeling you desire.